Last Sunday was the Nativity of John the Baptist. That means it’s only six months until Christmas. Augh!

I read Christmas stories all year long. A favorite of mine is in Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 Wind in the Willows. In the chapter “Home Sweet Home” Rat and Mole stumble across Mole’s old home. They intend to make a night of it when a bunch of field mice stop by to sing carols.

Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow–
Saw the star o’er a stable low;
Mary she might not further go–
Welcome thatch, and litter below!
Joy was hers in the morning!

It was a surprise to come across this sacred reference in an otherwise secular book by a man who didn’t hold conventional Christian views.

I’m often amazed at the ways the Holy slips into things in the least expected way. God has a way of getting under and around obstacles to get through to people. Take, for example, the story of Balaam, a wicked fortuneteller. God made Balaam’s donkey speak to him which eventually lead to Balaam delivering several genuine prophecies. It’s a weird story, but it makes the point of God using anybody (and maybe any thing) to deliver a divine message.

There’s a little less than six months until Christmas. That’s plenty of time to think about how we’re going to communicate the Good News of Jesus during a season obsessed with trees, presents, cookies, reindeer and a jolly old elf. If God can use Balaam’s donkey, think what God can do with us.

Read Numbers 22:21-39 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne